The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey presents two one-act plays, “Florence” and “Mojo: A Black Love Story,” by Alice Childress Oct. 26 to Nov. 13 at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre in Madison, New Jersey.
Childress (1916-1994) was an actress and a founding member of the American Negro Theatre in 1940 before becoming a groundbreaking playwright. She is often acknowledged as the only 20th-century African-American woman to have written, produced and published plays for four decades.
The Theatre has a mission to integrate education and learning into its endeavors to promote a culture of enlightenment.
“Florence,” written in 1949, explores the issues of female empowerment, interracial politics and working-class life. “Mojo: A Black Love Story,” written 1970, captures the love between a man and a woman once married yet still deeply committed to each other.
Correspondent Gina Marie Rodriguez speaks with Director Lindsey Smiling, “Mojo” actress Darlene Hope and costume designer Patrice Trower about what Childress' work means to them and the theater community.
About the author: Gina Marie Rodriguez is an award-winning screenwriter, director, and actress. Her foray into filmmaking began at a young age as a way to avoid public speaking in school. From there, it grew into a love of telling stories and creating new worlds. Gina Marie boasts a Bronze Remi win from Worldfest Houston, Best Female Filmmaker from the Cosmic Film Festival, and a Best Actress in a Comedy from the Hang Onto Your Shorts Film Festival alongside nominations from the Golden Door International Film Festival, Official Latino Film and Arts Festival and Los Angeles Cinefest among others.
Content provided by Discover Jersey Arts, a project of the ArtPride New Jersey Foundation and New Jersey State Council on the Arts.
